Tigers Take On Cleveland in AL Central Showdown

The worn-out Tigers, arriving in Cleveland just three hours before game time due to travel problems in Boston, were pushed even harder last night, losing in 10 innings to the Indians. Detroit had dominated the Indians in Cleveland the previous two seasons, winning twelve of their last fourteen games at Cleveland. A walk-off homer by Michael Brantley last night ended that streak, and stopped a four game losing streak for Cleveland as well. The Tigers saw their eleven game road winning streak snapped with the loss.

“We were hoping to go back and get some sleep with a win, but it wasn’t to be,” Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said.

Right-hander Justin Verlander takes the mound tonight for the Tigers. He is 5-2 on the year with a 3.15 ERA. The Indians worked Verlander for 113 pitches over five innings April 17 in Detroit, scoring three unearned runs, but he still picked up his fifth straight win over them. He has lost once to the Tribe since the start of last year. The Tigers are 7-2 in games started by him.

The Cleveland Indians will send prospect right-hander Trevor Bauer out as their starter. Bauer will be promoted from Triple-A for the first time since April 9, when he allowed two runs and struck out eight in six innings vs. San Diego. The righty has a 2.15 ERA in seven Minor League starts.

“Hopefully it’s not just a one-start thing,” Francona told the Indians’ official website. “This guy is a big part of what we want to do going forward. And to see him growing and understanding, it’s exciting.”

The third overall selection by Arizona in the 2011 draft, Bauer is 2-5 with a 5.03 ERA in nine career starts. Forecasts are calling for 68°F temperatures with winds blowing at 10 mph. The humidity will be around 63%. There is a 20% chance of precipitation.